We felt thrilled to see a single spy hop which is fairly common with the resident Orca pods, but to see and capture a double was like ice-cream for the cake. Researchers say they perform this maneuver to have a better look around them. Could they be intelligent enough to coordinate this double vantage and communicate the results to one another afterward?

They are known to pop up anywhere and without warning. One has be to fast with the camera to capture the action.

This Orca may be Granny, who is believed to be about 90 years old. No longer reproducing, the researchers who follow her say she is a strong maternal figure within the pod hierarchy, often taking young whales who have lost their mother, under her "fins" for security as they grow and mature.

So many little light houses dot the points on the coast line. This one seemed idyllic with the Orca swimming in front. If you can imagine, Mt. Baker would be to your left if the photo were large enough.